Carmen Messerlian

I am a passionate and curious scientist committed to understanding how the world around us impacts human reproductive health and development. My research at the Harvard Chan School of Public Health is focused on examining the extent to which environmental exposures affect a couple's ability to achieve conception, maintain pregnancy, and deliver healthy offspring. I investigate both paternal and maternal exposures to phthalates, phenols, and other emerging chemicals and their mixtures on ovarian reserve, time to pregnancy, pregnancy loss, preterm birth, birth weight, placental parameters, and child development outcomes. I have specialized in reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology, infertility, assisted reproduction, and causal methods with perinatal application. I also actively collaborate with leading bench scientists to conduct translational research to examine the underlying biological pathways that may lead to infertility and adverse pregnancy and child health outcomes.

As the Director of the Scientific Early Life Environmental Health & Development (SEED) Program, my team works to understand how the environment impacts reproductive health from the very earliest stages of life - starting from the formation of gametes and embryos - to the birth of infants and throughout childhood. My goal is to generate impactful science on the role of the environment on early life health and development across the reproductive life course. My mission is to use cutting-edge evidence to inform clinical practice, translate science into policy action, and implement prevention strategies to improve the health of mothers, fathers, and their children.

Prior to joining the Harvard Chan School, I worked as a pediatric nurse at the Montreal Children's Hospital and as a maternal-child public health consultant for local, state, and national governments. I am enthusiastic teacher and mentor, and a lifelong learner. I strive to learn and grow from every person I encounter; my motivation is always one of understanding and giving, equally in my pursuit of science as in humanity.